April 2013

I'm an older mom. Meaning, these days I don't hear my mom coming out of my mouth nearly as often as I hear my grandma - Do you need a light to read, dear? You see, truly novel experiences don't tend to arrive out of the blue for me anymore,…

Caryn Boehm of Henrico County had not heard the term “collaborative consumption,” although her lifestyle defines it. Environmentally aware, Boehm uses Craigslist and other digital resources to save money and trade pre-owned goods. "We try to live green because it is often easy and economical," says Boehm, whose environmentally responsible…

She’s a Power Kid! The minute John Turner, a Richmond pathologist, met eleven-year-old Taylor Bernard he felt compelled to "be in her corner." "She is one of those people you just admire," says Dr. Turner who is coaching Taylor for an upcoming triathlon. "I feel like I am a better…

April! What other month can inspire a spat that covers half a millennium? Geoffrey Chaucer kicked things off when he rhapsodized about April showers being a "sweet liquor." (Okay, his actual words were "swich licour" but when I typed that my spell checker exploded. Not cool, Geoffrey Chaucer!) Five hundred…

Because you completed our survey, we'll be able to make RFM even better. And gosh, thank you for the many wonderful comments! We are truly humbled. At one point, the out-of-town, independent survey administrator told me to stop getting all of my friends to answer the survey. I assured him…

The little girl on my front porch steps stood about a hair bow taller than the wrought iron rail. She circled both hands around her mouth, forming the smallest of megaphones. The roar of the motor drowned out her tiny voice as she shouted something to me across the yard.…

When our first child was born, my instincts kicked in: I wanted to raise our child in a healthy, natural home. The whole family took baby steps towards becoming greener. I started by researching non-toxic cleaners and other ways we could live in a more natural home by using more…

Q: My son is marrying a young woman who grew up in an abusive home. I know she hasn't sought professional therapy to deal with these issues, but her abuser is no longer in her life. She is wonderful in every way, but I do worry about the likelihood that…

Meet Anavelis, a fourth grade student at G.H. Reid Elementary School. She is an ESL learner (English as a second language) who not only needs to decode a new language, but also needs to read at grade level as soon as possible to make the critical shift from learning to…

April 15 will be here oh-too-soon, so following are some tips I've gathered through the years. Evaluate and update your deductions. With health insurance premiums soaring and incomes unchanging or decreasing, you may qualify for deductions in categories that previously didn't apply to your household. Likewise, there may be some…

Guns, guns, guns. They are being discussed in the news, on our Facebook walls, and in legislative meeting rooms across the country. It's a touchy topic, and people tend to have opinions that burn red-hot. In the name of some good Southern social decorum, we probably shouldn't discuss guns, right?…

Be inspired by twentieth-century artist Lucas Samaras, who transformed everyday objects into creative works of art. Explore the art of soft sculpture by up-cycling fabric to create a bouquet. What you need: Fabric strips cut to 2x16 inches Low-temp glue gun with glue sticks* Twistable wire or chenille stems Felt…

Warmer weather has us looking forward to times at the pool, lake, or beach for fun. Unfortunately, these bodies of water can be places of extreme danger, especially for young children and non-swimmers. Drowning is the number one cause of accidental death for children under five and individuals in the…

They hide and wait until you’re about to doze off and then pounce on your feet, snug under a blanket. They stalk the rubber band that just fell to the floor, or the dust bunny that's hardly visible under the sofa. Cats are sneaky - in life, and when it…

Breakfast, lunch or dinner, you can incorporate those ruby red, delicious, and nutritious berries into any part of your meal. Strawberry Balsamic BBQ Sauce Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 3 Tbsp finely chopped shallots or red onions, 1 minced garlic clove,…

Ethan Waugh is a handsome and bright five-year old, eagerly looking forward to kindergarten in the fall. But less than a year ago, he didn't really enjoy school at all. In fact, Ethan showed little interest in books, drawing, or arts and crafts like other children. His mother, Dawn, was…

Joey Sullivan and his family moved into the house next door to us on Bandera Drive in the West End when he was three years old. His toys were still packed up, so when I tossed one of my prized Tonka trucks over the fence, a lifetime friendship began. I…

Serena Hutcheson wasn't ready to let go of her 80-year-old grandmother, but she learned how to do so from watching her own mother prepare her to say goodbye in the most dignified way possible. "Just the act of watching my mom sit down with my grandmother and talk about this…

There's a reason the phrase soft as a baby's bottom is used to describe the smoothest, softest skin any of us will ever have. Aging brings skin changes, and despite the claims of makers and sellers of the many lotions and potions on the market, little can be done to…

You've packed your bags for spring break, printed your tickets, and found someone to look after the dog. You even remembered to buy new sunscreen. But did you remember your sunglasses? And how about a pair for your child? Although many of us still associate the need for sunglasses with…

Sitting through lengthy meetings or workshops. Enjoying a live performance at a local venue (like last month's Les Miserables at the Landmark). Going on long trips. Just reading these examples might cause concern among those struggling with incontinence. What if you have an accident? Or you can't find a bathroom…

One of the most frightening times for any parent is when your child has a fever. Most parents can generally tell how sick their child is by how they look and how they are acting. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about fever and the treatment of fever that cause unnecessary…